Search Begins For Former Colleagues

The widow of a West Midlands’ chartered surveyor has launched a search for former colleagues who may be able to help in her battle for justice.

73 year old John Knight, from Solihull, was diagnosed with mesothelioma - an incurable asbestos-related cancer of the chest – on 5th May 2010 and sadly passed away just 23 days later, leaving behind his wife Brenda, his daughter Claire and two young grandchildren. 

Mr Knight was a chartered surveyor at John Madin Design Group (formerly John D H Madin & Partners) between 1959 and 1992.  He worked on a number of landmark buildings in this area, including Birmingham Central Library and the former Birmingham Post and Mail building, in addition to a large number of office buildings in and around the city.  He also applied his expertise in Bebbington, Liverpool and a large housing estate in Coventry. 

Mrs Brenda Knight says: “My husband John, who was a fit and active man for most of his life, became unwell during the course of October 2009.  Following numerous investigations he was told on 5th May 2010 that he had cancer and, later that day, a lung cancer nurse told us that it was, in fact, Mesothelioma, which is incurable. 

“John died on 28th May, a few days short of our 46th wedding anniversary. The family had hardly come to terms with the diagnosis and he was gone.  We all miss him terribly.”

Workplace illness expert, Hayley Hill from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, represents Mr Knight’s family. She comments: “Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer for which there is sadly no cure. Although it can take upwards of 20 years from exposure to onset of the illness, once diagnosed it can be very aggressive and painful.

“The effects of this industrial disease have been tragic for John and the family he leaves behind.  In order to gain justice for the Knight family, we are trying to trace his former colleagues who may be able to provide information regarding the working practices and the presence of asbestos in buildings where employees of John D H Madin & Partners worked between 1959 and 1992.”

Anyone who can provide information should contact Hayley Hill at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors via hayley.hill@irwinmitchell.com or 0370 1500 100.